A team of "global experts" will target seven main export markets in a multimillion-pound drive to expand Scotland's food and drink sales.

The £4.5 million Scotland Food & Drink Export Plan, developed by the industry and government, will look at 15 markets in total to capitalise on a sector “worth £5.4 billion in export sales in 2012”.

The main markets being targeted cover North America, France, Japan, Germany, the Middle East, Hong Kong and south-east Asia, and the expert team will look to drive international sales for Scotland’s food and drink firms in those markets.

The Scotland Food & Drink Partnership – the Scottish Government, Scotland Food & Drink, Scotland Development International and the main exporting trade associations - have drawn up the strategy together, and each has contributed towards the £4.5 million in funding.

Scottish Government figures suggest the total value of overseas food and drink exports increased by 52 per cent between 2007 and 2012, with exports of Scotch whisky growing by 87 per cent in the 10-years to 2012 to £4.3 billion.

The industry has set an export target of £7.1 billion by 2017 and to hit overall turnover of £16.5 billion.

Richard Lochhead, the cabinet secretary responsible for food and drink, said: "The sector has experienced tremendous growth in recent years.

“In fact, if the current rate of growth continues then we will have an export rate similar to that of the North Sea oil and gas industry.

“That is remarkable. "But we can do so much more.

“The quality and provenance of our food and drink is second to none and is a key selling point.

“We know there's a massive global appetite for our premium, iconic products and now is the time to make the most of that and build the Scottish brand and reputation.”

James Withers, chief executive of Scotland Food and Drink, said the aim of the scheme is to help the rest of the food and drink sector follow the success of Scotch whisky.

"It will create a level of support for overseas trade that the food and drink industry in Scotland hasn't seen before and I'm confident by 2017 we will have doubled our export trade over a decade," he said.

The £4.5 million food and drink export plan was announced at oatcake producer Nairn's in Edinburgh.

Chairman Mark Laing said: "We currently export to 30 countries around the world and have experienced the benefits from this, but we know there are much more potential opportunities out there.

"It's great to see Scotland's food and drink sector coming together as one to lay out a plan for the industry as a whole - a plan which we fully endorse.

“I'm hopeful that this will see Scotland's food and drink being exported and enjoyed far beyond our own shores.”